Care & Feeding Of A Mermaid, Florida, Weekiwachee Springs (1961 Original Black & White Film)

Dive into history with this enchanting black-and-white film from 1961, showcasing a young woman training to become a mermaid at Weeki Wachee, a unique Florida water park founded by Newton Perry after World War II. Perry, a champion swimmer and former U.S. Navy diver, discovered the perfect location 100 miles north of Tampa with crystal-clear waters. In 1947, he constructed an underwater theater, training young women to perform mesmerizing underwater ballet and maneuvers using his innovative breathing system. By the 1950s, Weeki Wachee was a top tourist attraction. In 1959, ABC purchased the park, built a larger 500-seat theater, and promoted it nationwide. This 1961 film features stunning underwater footage of mermaid training, breath control lessons, synchronized swimming, and even underwater dining etiquette.

Source :
(1961) Care and Feeding of a Mermaid. [Florida: publisher not identified, -12] [Video] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021671089